Ye Xinxia's Progress

Early in the morning, Mo Xie slipped out of the soft body curled against him, as usual.

Just as he was about to get up, two delicate hands emerged from under the covers, grabbed Mo Xie's arm, and pulled him back.

"Brother Xie, don't go... Sleep a little longer..."

Ye Xinxia wrapped her arms around Mo Xie's neck, rested her head on his shoulder, and spoke in a soft voice.

Mo Xie felt a little helpless at her behavior and patted her arm.

"Xin Xia, I need to get up. Let go first."

"No~"

Instead, she held him even tighter and began moving her thigh toward Mo Xie's stomach.

Sensing where her leg was headed, Mo Xie hurried to stop her.

He was a normal teenage boy, at an age when hormones ran high. He considered his self-control strong, but mornings inevitably brought... a certain reaction!

Besides, Ye Xinxia wore a thin summer nightdress. With them pressed together like this, Mo Xie could clearly feel the warmth of her body.

In the end, he failed to stop her. Her thigh brushed against something hot, and she let out a shy cry, her face flushing as she reflexively pulled her leg back.

While she was still stunned, Mo Xie quickly freed himself from her arms and sat on the edge of the bed to get dressed.

By the time Mo Xie had changed, silence had settled over the room.

"Sorry..."

Uncomfortable with the silence, Ye Xinxia spoke first.

"I'm not blaming you."

Mo Xie turned around. Ye Xinxia sat on the bed with her legs tucked beneath her, watching him fearfully, as though afraid he would hate her and push her away. His stern expression immediately softened.

He lowered his eyes, seeming to search for the right words. After a moment, Mo Xie continued.

"Xin Xia, you're grown up now. You're not a child anymore. I could hold you while you slept when we were little, but I can't do that now... Starting tonight, sleep in your own room."

Mo Xie knew Ye Xinxia was attached to him, but he had not realized how deeply.

Mo Xie suddenly regretted agreeing to share a bed. It would have been inappropriate even if she were his sister by blood, let alone his sworn younger sister.

Now Mo Xie was sure Ye Xinxia must have bewitched him into agreeing. He was her older brother. How could he have let this happen?

Could it be... The most likely explanation surfaced in Mo Xie's mind.

Have I spoiled her so much all these years that Xin Xia has become too dependent on me?

Yes, that must be it!

The more Mo Xie thought about it, the more certain he became. Yes, absolutely, he kept telling himself.

While Mo Xie was still lost in thought, a pair of arms wrapped around his waist. Ye Xinxia leaned against his back.

"Xin Xia?"

Ye Xinxia said nothing, simply resting against Mo Xie's back and feeling his warmth.

She took a deep breath. Determined to reveal the feelings she had buried deepest in her heart, she slowly began to speak.

“Brother Xie, the truth is, I...”

"It's all right. I know."

"Huh?!"

Mo Xie cut Ye Xinxia off with a smile and patted her head as she stared at him in shock.

"Even if I spoil you, you shouldn't depend on me so much. You're a girl, after all, and siblings still need to keep a little distance."

As Ye Xinxia listened to Mo Xie, the blush on her cheeks faded, and her expression darkened. She lowered her head, letting her long black hair hide her face and obscure her expression.

"Siblings, huh..."

"Right. What's wrong? Uh..."

Mo Xie stiffened. His instincts told him Ye Xinxia was on the verge of exploding. Danger seemed to radiate from her.

"Well, Xin Xia, I'm going to do my morning training."

With that, Mo Xie fled the room, leaving Ye Xinxia sitting silently on the bed.

A sigh rang out in the quiet room, and Ye Xinxia fell back onto the bed.

He misunderstood me... Was I moving too fast?

I was so close to telling Mo Xie how I really feel, and he took it completely the wrong way. He really is dense, isn't he?

As Mo Xie saw it, Ye Xinxia's feelings for him were nothing more than a younger sister's dependence on her older brother. It had never occurred to him that she might feel anything beyond that.

The road ahead looked bleak to Ye Xinxia. Unless she laid her feelings out plainly, Mo Xie would never understand.

Of course, if she confessed now, given how Mo Xie currently saw her, he would reject her without a doubt.

There was another possibility: Mo Xie could confess first. But Ye Xinxia had ruled that out long ago.

If Mo Xie had felt even the slightest attraction to her, Ye Xinxia would not have needed to make so many suggestive moves only to keep waiting for a confession that never came.

For now, Ye Xinxia could only change how he saw their relationship little by little. It would be extremely difficult.

They were siblings in name only, yet Mo Xie insisted on treating them as though they shared blood.

Lately, sharing a bed had seemed like progress. Ye Xinxia had believed that, given a little more time, their relationship would advance by leaps and bounds.

Then this morning happened. Now their relationship would stall again. Given Mo Xie's misunderstanding, it might even take a step backward.

The more Ye Xinxia thought about it, the angrier she became. Frustrated, she pulled the covers over her head.

In the courtyard, Mo Xie swung his sword. Fine arcs of electricity danced along the blade, tracing beautiful curves through the air.

His feet followed an unusual pattern as he moved with each swing of the Tang Dao, his footwork seeming to become one with his swordsmanship.

Mo Xie trained especially hard that morning, probably because what had happened earlier had left him worked up.

He slid the Tang Dao back into its sheath and took several heavy breaths. He had definitely overdone it today.

Mo Xie turned around. Ye Xinxia was already sitting on the swing, holding out a towel as she waited for him.

Ye Xinxia smiled and beckoned Mo Xie over. To anyone else, that smile would have felt warm and inviting. Mo Xie sensed danger.

He paused, breathed out, then started toward her again.

Mo Xie took the towel from her and gave himself a quick wipe. He was about to head inside when a delicate hand gripped his wrist and held him fast.

Still wearing the same smile, Ye Xinxia patted the seat beside her, signaling for Mo Xie to sit.

Mo Xie swallowed and sat down beside her with a helpless look.

Only then did Ye Xinxia nod in satisfaction. She curled up and lay on her side with her head on Mo Xie's thigh.

"Brother Xie, you said a younger sister depends on her older brother. Isn't that right?"

With her head resting on Mo Xie's thigh, Ye Xinxia spoke softly.

"I did. It's just rare to see you this assertive, Xin Xia."

Mo Xie stroked her long hair, his eyes and voice full of helpless affection.

Enjoying the feel of his hand, Ye Xinxia arched up into it like a kitten.

Fine. Let him misunderstand for now. At least I can take a step back to move forward, and I'll have more reasons to make Mo Xie accept me.

Brother Xie, you'll always be mine. Hehehe~

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